Content dispensing device for collapsible tubes



April 24; 1951` D. D. DERRlcK 2,550,537

CONTENT DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES A TTORNEY April Z4, 1951D. D. DERRICK.

CONTENT DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNov. 28, 1947 FIG.7.

FIG.6.

Patented Apr. 254, 1951 UNITED STATES their ortica 2 Claims'. 1 Thisinvention relates to improvements means/for holding a collapsible tubeand dispense ing i'the contents thereof, and has particular reference toa holding and dispensing device characterized by improved constructionand operation, which is especially suitable' for' use with i collapsibletubes containing toothpaste, shaving cream and the lile.

object of the invention is? to provide a dej' vicer of the characterindicated, is capable' of accommodating collapsible tubes of various Y.lengths and sizes, and which is adapted for effectingcontent-dispensingcollapse of the tube in a positive and highly eiective manner'. Y.

Another object is to provide ina device of this nature, tube-collapsingmechanism embodying a positive drive operable to eiect an intermittent 1or stepbystep advance of the collapsing mechanism along the tube, suchas to aiord at cach a suitable or predetero'i the material contentoperation, discharge of Amr'ied desired quantity ofthe tube.

`A further obj-ect is toA provide a device of' this i character, whereinthe positive drive of the' tubee l. collapsing mechanism, is readilyreleasable to permit relatively free displacement of the mechan nism, asfor return thereofl to a starting position.

Yet another object is to provide in a device of the nature'indicated, atube-collapsing mechae nism having press rolls arranged for embracingthe tube' to be collapsed, wherein at least one' of the press rolls isreleasable for' displacement away from, the' other press roll, such asttov facilitate "passage of the sealedv end of a collapsible tube betweenthe rolls in mounting the tube in the device.

A still further object Aof thev invention is to provide a device of thecharacter above referred to, YhavingV a member providing avalveecontrolled discharge port and an element on the member forlocating the discharge end of the collapsible in alignment with theport, wherein the member is readily removable from the device to aiordcomplete accessv thereto, as for cleaning e valve and' port and the tubelocating element.

Bil

Fig. 4 is a section transversely through the device, as taken along line4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation at the lower or discharge end of thedevice;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the device at one side of theframe therein;

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal section through the frame and mechanismthereon, and

Fig. 8 is a detail elevation of a part of the tube press mechanism.

With reference now to the several views of the drawing, the presentdevice comprises a frame l0 of suitable rigid material, as sheet metal,formed to provide a bottom wallv or base Il and opposite side Walls I2.Base Il is longitudinally channelled atv I4 and l5, and through thebot-` toms of the channels are two or more openings I6. to cooperatewith suitable wall bracket .ele-r ments or the like (not shown) by whichthe de'- vice is mounted preferably in a vertical position on a wall orother support (inot shown). A pair of casing members I8 and I9 eachsuitably hinged at 2B to the adjacent frame side' wall I2, cooper-- atewith the frame bottom wall or base Il to encase the frame and mechanism,to top exten-Y sions 22 of the casing members closing the top end of theframe, While the lower end 23 of the frame is exposed to receive avalved port member later to be described. Spring latch elements 24 arecarried by the frame side walls I2 for cooperation with the casingmembers to retain them in closed position (Figs. l, 4 and 5), the latchelements readily yielding to manual pres-A sure exerted on the casingmembers in the opening direction. When the4 casing members are swung toopen positions (broken line showing in Fig. 1), the frame and mechanismare fully exposed.

Centrally of the basev Il near' the upper end of the frame, is a clampor mounting device 25 for the sealed end of a collapsible tube.v Theclamp hereby preference, comprises a bracket 2G having itsv base 21 inoverlying engagement with the trame base Il and secured thereto by ascrew and wing-nut assembly 28, the screw passing through a slot 30directed longitudinally in the base Il whereby to permit' positionaladjustment of the clamp toward and from. the upper end of the frame.Since the collapsible tube. when in; serted in the device in a manner toappear, has its discharge end' associated with a receiver and locatingelement (to be described) disposed in fixed position relative to theframe, the present longitudinal adjustability ofthe clamp 25 facilitatesthe accomnfiodationv of collapsible tubes of -movable jaw member 35 tothe bracket.

various lengths. The clamp bracket 25 upstanding from the frame base I,carries one jaw 3| of the clamp, and is formed to provide eye portions32 to receive a hinge bar 34 serving to hinge the Jaw member 35 isextended rearwardly from its jaw portion, to afford an operating handle35. Between the bracket and handle 36 is a suitable biasing spring 38acting yieldably to urge the movable jaw 35 toward the xed jaw 3|.

The end of each side wall I2 at the lower or bottom end of the frame,supports or has formed integrally therewith, an inwardly directed flange35, these flanges forming a mounting seat for a plate member 40 (Figs. 3and 5). Plate member 49 here is removably supported on the flanges byheated studs 42 xed to the latter and cooperating with lock-slots 43 inthe plate (Fig. 5) to retain the plate in assembly to the frame. Afinger piece 44 is provided on the plate 40 to facilitate angulardisplacement of the plate relative to the studs 42, as for assembly ofthe plate to the frame seats 39 or to position the plate for removal.

An aperture or discharge port 46 is provided centrally through plate4I), and controlling the port is a valve element 41 of plate form,pivoted to the plate at 48 adjacent the plate margin 5U. By preference,the pivotal connection is of a character to retain the valve element infrictional surface engagement with the face of the plate member 49, suchthat the valve element will remain stationary relative to plate 40, butwill yield in manual operation thereof through the handle to a positionclosing the port 48, or to a position of discharge wherein a port 52 inthe valve element registers with port 46. The latter position isdetermined by abutment of a projection 54 on the valve element, with theplate margin 58, while displacement of the valve element in theport-closing direction may be limited as by a suitable stop 55 on theplate 4i) (Fig. 5).

. Suitably xed upon the inner side of plate 40 is a ring member 55formed of resilient material such as rubber or the like, the ring memberpresenting a central tapered bore 58 having its small `end in' marginalregistry with port 46. Ring member 55 is provided for receiving andholding the discharge end or outlet neck 59 of a collapsible tube 69shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, whereby the tube end is located andretained in alignment with discharge port 46. As will be appreciated,tapering of the bore 53 in locating member 5G, adapts the member for thereception of the tube necks of different external diameters, whileforming the member of resilient material aiords thereby, a substantiallyfluid-tight seal ofthe tube neck in the bore 58.

It is to be noted here that in mounting a collapsible tube in thedevice, the primary mounting'supp'ort of the tube is effected by the jawclamp engaging the sealed end 62 of the tube (Fig. 7), with the clampadjusted longitudinally -or" the .frame I0 according to the length ofthe tube to'be collapsed, such that the tube in eiect, is',suspendedtherefrom. As so mounted the tube has its dischargeneck 59 bearing inthe bore 58 of .the locating member 56, with a minimum of pressuresuflicient to effect the desired uid seal between the member and theexternal side surfaces ofthe tube neck. Moreover, the described tube`mounting is such that the head surface 63 of the tube (Fig. 7) isslightly spaced from or bears only lightly on the margin 64 of themember 56, this being highly desirable in order to prevent tube ruptureat the head end as total collapse of the tube is approached.

Turning now to the presently improved compressor mechanism for effectingtube collapse, each side wall I2 of the frame I 0 is provided with aslot 66 substantially coextensive with the longitudinal extent of theside wall, the slots constituting a guide or trackway for thecompressor. The compressor assembly is comprised of a carriage member 61of generally U-shape, affording sides 68 joined by a cross-piece or wall10. Each side carries a stud 1| having a. roller thereon in rollingengagement in the guide slot 66 of the adjacent frame wall I2, the studincluding a head 14 at its free end, overlapping the slot margins on theouter side of the side wall (Fig. 3). Each side 68 of the carriagefurther supports a stud 15 having its outer end seating in the slot 66of the adjacent frame side wall I2. The studs 15 and rollers 12 suitablyrelatively spaced on each side of the carriage, thus cooperate with theframe side wall slots 66 to support the carriage between the side walls,for movement longitudinally of the frame.

On the carriage are tube press elements or press rolls 16 and 18,arranged between the carriage sides 68 for embracing the tube to becollapsed. Roll 16 is mounted on a shaft or spindle 19 having its endsseated in apertures provided therefor in the carriage sides, andprojecting slightly outwardly from the latter, as at 80, for a purposeto appear. The other roll 18 is on a shaft 82 which has its endsextending through slots 84 in the carriage sides 68, Interiorly of thecarriage and adjacent each side 68 thereof, is a position control member86 for the roll 18. Each of these members is pivoted at its end 81 (Fig.8) upon the shaft 19 or roll 16, and provides a linger piece 88 at itsopposite end, for pivotal actuation of the member. The intermediateportion of the member is laterally enlarged at 90, and has formedtherethrough an arcuate or curved slot 9| terminating in thecentral bodyzone of the member, in a slot opening 92 extending toward the nger endof the member and defining a seat 94 and a camming lip 95. Shaft 82extends through the slots of members 86, and sincey the shaft isconiined bythe carriage slots 84 to movement toward or away from theshaft of roll 16, pivotal movement of the members 86 will serve toposition the roll 18 in operative adjacence to roll 16 or perm-it it tomove away from the latter roll. For example, when the members 86 arepivoted each to a position such as shown in Fig. 8, the roll 18 and itsshaft 82 will be free for displacement away from the roll 1E, since thecurved slots 9| .are in substantial registry with the'slots 84. However,as the members 86 are pivoted to the dotted line position (Fig. 8), thecurved slots 9| cam the shaft 82 toward roll 16, the shaft nally ridingover the lips 95 andV into seats 94, when the roll 18 will besubstantially locked in predetermined relatively close operativerelation t0 the roll 16. Release of roll 18 is effected by reversepivoting of the members 88 which effects initially, snap-movement of theshaft 82 over the lips'95, and thence camming of the shaft by the curvedslots 9|, to the free position of the roll 18.

The foregoing described release provision for the roll 18 is hereeffected to facilitate insertion and mounting of the tube to becollapsed. When a tube is to be inserted in the device, the carriage isdisplaced to a point adjacent the clamp 25, and the roll 18 is releasedin the manner described. The sealed end of the tube is thenpassed 5between the rolls. '1.6 and 18-as per-mittedby free movement of lroll.18. away from. roll 16, and thence engaged bythe .jaws .of the `clamp2,5 (Fig. '7). f'fhefleafter, the :roll 18 .is returned to operativeyrelatie.n with roll .16, so that the rolls closely em.-bacoxthe.'tuberiust forwardly of. the sealed end 62 of the latter. Inorder to effect the initial .relationship of the. tube ,and press.rolls., prior to tuberoollansins operation to dispense vthe tube ontentait be neoossaryin somoinstanoes. ll. .amount of.- thetube contentas la Seof. thetube at. its sealedend-to ntcollepseo Surfaceimmediately#be sealed end, toreceive'the rolls provide suffi ,splaoemont,alone-.theftuba is ef.- .a .rifnlelandl positivo marmer through emeohanism. howto be'deseribed. Ro'- 'rnale'd "on erich stud 'E5 ofcarriage taindin axiallyspaced position there'- able collars |00, isagear Wheel lol ufciently large indiameter to engage g |12 in the teeth|04 of a Straightfrek 105. extending. longitudinally in the base il of 4I0. Each rack isinwadly adjacent a all l2`r of the frame, "and extendssubstann ,om end-to-end of theframla as such, an- "pears 1n' Fig. '3.v AU-shaped operating memb'er |05 has each arm |03 thereof extendingbetw'e'e'if"a' gear wheel |0| 'and the adjacent side 68 offthe carriage,to pivotal support on the stud 15. Spanning the arms |08 and freelypivoted thereto as at |09, is a pawl element afforda pawl ||2 near eachend, for cooperation with the adjacent one of the gear wheels.` |0l. Theelement is provided with a depending lug or Weight ||3 loffset from thepivotal axis of the 'ielementlsuch as to bias the element (in thevertical Nmounting of thedevice) in the direction 1to1 engage itspawls'with the gear wheels.

o Thek operating member |05 is here limited' in itspivotal'move'rnent toa predetermined, relatively' short range of movement as determined f lbyopposite abutments ||4 and Il'n formed on lealoh Side member E8 ofthe.Carriage, andl positioned for; 'cooperation with the `arms |538 of the"operating'member' (Figs''and 7). The loperating member |06 is urged orbiased to a position wherein-'its arms |08 engage the abutments Hd, byspring elements each preferably coaxial with .one of the carriage studs15, and having one end ||8 engaging or hooked-over an arm |08, and itsopposite end bearing against the projecting end 80 of the spindle 10carrying the press roll 16.

The operating member |05 is provided with a projecting stem |2|terminating in a finger piece |22 for manual actuation of the member.Finger piece |22 is exposed on the front side of the closed casingmembers I8 and I9 (Figs. l, 2 and 4), with the stem operating through acasing slot |24 provided by cut-away portions along the adjoiningmargins of the casing members.

In operation, following mounting of a tube to be collapsed and initiallocation of the compressor at the sealed end of the tube, downwardpivoting of the operating member |06 from the abutments ||4 to theabutments ||6 (Fig. 6) will effect rotation of the gear wheels |0|through the engaged pawls ||2. The gear wheels thus traveling on theracks |05, displace the carriage 61 forwardly along the tube from itssealed end, and the rolls 16 and 18 displaced with the carriage andfreely rolling on the tube, collapse fthetcarriage and rolls in tube y.discharged to use.

the tube to dispense its contents. Prior' to this operation, the valveelement 4l is moved to register its port 52 with the port Mi, so that inthe dispensing. operation the tube .content maybe A single operation of,the memberlwill advance the carriage and press `rolls only a relativelyshort distance, and hence of toothpaste for example, the dispenser,maybe adapted as aforesaid, to dispense in each, actuation, an amountsuncient for one toothbrush application, the toothbrush of course, beingheld under the discharge end of the device, to receive the pastethereon.

A single actuation of the member |06 thus advances the compressor onestep, the member thereafter-being released or allowed to return t0 itsposition against abutments` I4, under the urge of the return springs Themechanismthen is ready for a further dispensing step, such.` beingrepeated when desiredfuntil the .oomnressor nallyattains the dischargeend of the tuba At Such time, the rolls 'i6 and `|=8 apnroaeh. closelythe head end 63 of the. tubexand substantially all of the tube contentis then dis,-

hQDSQd. a l y From the. foregoing description of operation, it willappear now that the present dispensing mechanism affords lastep-.by-step advance of the compressor in the tube; collapsingdirection, which is of great advantage for the reason here- .inbeforenoted. Moreover, the step-bystep, tubecollapsing advance of thecompressor is attained by a positive drive as constituted by theoperating member |05, pawls l I2, gear wheels I0 i and racks |05,l thedrive being fully effective to prevent retrograde movements of they.compressorv `when the mechanism is in use to dispense the contents of atube. y The .latter is in Vconsequence of, the

vpawls ||2 engaging the gear wheelsll, "since in the return of theoperating member |06 to its initial position against abutments ||4 (Fig.6), the pawls engage the gear wheels to lock the compressor againstbackward movement.

It is to be noted that the compressor advancing drive may be readilyreleased (see Fig. 7), merely by manual lifting of the pawl memberthrough the weight projection II3, to hold the pawls ||2 disengaged fromthe gear wheels |0I. Thereafter, the compressor may be displaced freelyalong the trackway.

Provision is here made to permit Iassembly and disassembly of thecompressor as a unit, relative to the frame I0. As will be noted inFigs. 6 and '7, each longitudinal frame slot 66 is laterally enlarged atH30 near the upper end of the frame, `while the frame portion |3|terminating in the enlargement |30 is pressed outwardly from the planeof the frame side |2. Consequently, upon removal of the tube clamp 25,the entire compressor unit may be displaced upwardly from the frame, thecasing members |8 and I9 of course being open at such time. The slotenlargements |30 and pressed out drame portions |3| readily permitpassage of the studs 15, rollers '|2 and headed studs 1|, out of slots66 and past the upvpair or replacement of parts.

per end ofthe frame.' Once removed, the compressor may be readilydisassembled, as for re- When assembled, the unit is applied at theupper end of the frame to seat the rollers 12 in the frame slots l615and thence the studs 'l5 in the slots, whereupon the compressordisplaced downwardly to permit reassembly of the tube clamp 25.

The presently improved dispenser device is capable of accommodatingcollapsible tubes of vari ous sizes and lengths, and is characterized bya positive and'easily eiected collapse of the tube in a step-by-stepmanner, from its sealed end to the head end( of the tube, and such as todispense from the tube substantially all of its content. Moreover, theadvantages of the present device in respect to sanitation, are obivious,it being 'noted again that the valved port member is readily removableat will, to permit cleaning thereof.

Having described and illustrated a presently preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that modifications in the parts andvoperative arrangement thereof, may lbe made Without departing from thespirit and fulliny tended scope of the invention .as defined by theappended claims.

I claim: f 1. In a device for holding a collapsible tube and dispensingthe contents thereof, a frame adapted L.'

vfor vertical mounting and providing a vertical trackway, meansadjustably mounted on the frame near the upper end of the trackway,provided for clamping attachment to the sealed end of la collapsibletube to support the tube in suspension vertically along the trackway,means providing a valved discharge port, removably carried by the frameat the lower end of said trackway, an element on the last said meansadapted for receiving the discharge end of the tube to locate the samein alignment with said valved Vdischarge port,`a compressor includingfreely rotatable tube press elements located for embracing the tube,guidedly supported relative to said trackw'ay, and means,V for effectingstep-by-step movement of said compressor in tube-collapsing advancealong the tube, said means including a rack onY said frame andsubstantially co-extensive with said cluding a pawl engageable with saidgear, pivotally supported on thevfcompressor', and stop means positionedon the compressor for engage'- ment by said lever means to limit pivotaldisplacement of the latter.

2. In a device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube, aframe; supports thereon for the sealed and discharge ends: of the tube,a, carriage supported on the frame for movement along the tube, a firstpress roll including ashvaft'.' freely rotatably supported on syl-tidcarriagef a second press roll including a shaft, saidicarriage providingslots receiving the ends of the shaft 'of said second roll, said pressrolls ',beingfreely rotatable and arranged for embran i g the tube, saidearriage slots permitting ilimited displacement of said second roll anditsfksha'ft 'away from an operative position relativetothefother roll,to facilitate passage of the `lsealed end of the tube between the rollsin mountingl the tube on said supports, latch means pivoted on the shaftof said rst roll and engaging the [shaft of said second roll, operable'in la'tching Vposition to retain said second rollin said .operativepositionv thereof, and actuating 'means'for said carriage operable toeiect step-byl`step movement thereof in tube-collapsing advance -`alongthe tube.

DoUGLAs D. DERRICK.i

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in `the le ofthis patent:

